Coronavirus concerns
Discussion
Anyone else got anything booked that may be impacted by coronavirus?
We are meant to be flying to Tokyo via Moscow on 20 March, returning 4 April. The daily headlines on the spread of the virus in Japan is somewhat concerning. Quite a few friends and colleagues are amazed we are still going! The current view is to travel until and unless Government advice tells us not to, but not sure what you chaps think ...
We are meant to be flying to Tokyo via Moscow on 20 March, returning 4 April. The daily headlines on the spread of the virus in Japan is somewhat concerning. Quite a few friends and colleagues are amazed we are still going! The current view is to travel until and unless Government advice tells us not to, but not sure what you chaps think ...
Canute said:
We are looking to book a holiday, but right now I'm not in such a rush. Especially now we have seen hotels in Europe potentially becoming new versions of the cruise ship infection hot zones in the news today!
We are meant to be staying in a luxury onsen for a couple of days in Nikko ... slightly concerned that might not be the greatest idea.raceboy said:
Personally I wouldn't worry about it one bit, probably make the most of shorter queues everywhere.
We've been discussing it in the office as a colleagues partner has just bottled it on a trip to Hong Kong, some very basic level googling would indicate that 75% of the cases are confined to Wuhan and 80% of the death are of old men with underlying heath issue, so unless you're a pensioner with a heart disease going to Wuhan I'd be packing my bags as long as the flight is going......but I'm not a doctor.
Shorter queues perhaps, though things across Japan appear to be starting to shut. Wouldn't be ideal if we can't do any of the things we intended to do! We've been discussing it in the office as a colleagues partner has just bottled it on a trip to Hong Kong, some very basic level googling would indicate that 75% of the cases are confined to Wuhan and 80% of the death are of old men with underlying heath issue, so unless you're a pensioner with a heart disease going to Wuhan I'd be packing my bags as long as the flight is going......but I'm not a doctor.
Still intend to travel, but who knows what might happen over the next few weeks.
oldaudi said:
I owe British Airways Holiday £1200 (having paid £1300 already) for a family of 4 trip to New York at Easter. I really don't know what to do BA haven't cancelled anything yet, so If I withdraw I lose £1200 or if I pay the lot and they don't cancel I lose £2500. Or I pay the rest and hope they cancel and make the decision for me. Or I just go. Transit through two major airports, a massive Hotel and a populated city does make me a little concerned. We appear to be all healthy but Id be concerned for my two young daughters if we caught anything. In addition being stuck In quarantine for 2 weeks when we get back, or when we get there, will push my family to its limits! I have not purchased any travel insurance yet either.
Why would you be considering cancelling a trip to New York ... ? As far as I can see, there are no confirmed cases in New York at all. Closest seems to be a single case in Boston. Our trip involves a stop over in Moscow and then on to Tokyo, and then the same in return, so slightly more concerning, but no present intention to cancel!
Edmor said:
Have a holiday booked to go to Japan during the Easter break with family.. fingers crossed things stabilise a little bit by then...booked this in nov before the virus thing... Checked with travel insurance.. they will only refund if there is a foreign office mandate...anyone in a similar situation?
any tips advise would be great...Thanks
I am. Flying on 20 March to Tokyo via Moscow for two weeks. In same boat insurance wise. Can cancel some hotels for free but would still be out one hotel (400), rail passes (660), flights (840). Currently still intending to travel but things seem to be getting worse in Japan not better.any tips advise would be great...Thanks
Snails said:
OP - We're off to Japan on the 15th March returning 29th March. We have rebooked several of our hotels as the prices have dropped enough to make it worthwhile. We're still going to go unless the government advice is not to travel.
It might be worthwhile checking your travel insurance policy. Our original policy for the trip did not cover cancellation in the event the government advises avoiding all but essential travel. Given that is the most likely reason we won't end up going I've taken out a new policy that does cover cancellation for that reason.
@Snails - are you still intending to travel?It might be worthwhile checking your travel insurance policy. Our original policy for the trip did not cover cancellation in the event the government advises avoiding all but essential travel. Given that is the most likely reason we won't end up going I've taken out a new policy that does cover cancellation for that reason.
Edited by Snails on Tuesday 25th February 13:49
schmalex said:
We’re off to Africa in 3 weeks time. My employer has cancelled my business trip to Asia next week and will, most likely, cancel my trip to Asia in April.
However, I have no intention of cancelling the holiday. There a hundreds of infections that one could catch that are equally as nasty as this wee beastie.
Clearly, we’ll be making considered decisions and taking all normal prudent care but you can’t wrap yourself up in cotton wool forever
As mentioned earlier in the thread, there are concerns outside catching it - everything being shut and your holiday being rubbish, difficulties getting home if flights start getting cancelled (for us we are flying via Moscow so three countries that could put travel restrictions in place), getting quarantined in an hotel for your entire holiday, etc. However, I have no intention of cancelling the holiday. There a hundreds of infections that one could catch that are equally as nasty as this wee beastie.
Clearly, we’ll be making considered decisions and taking all normal prudent care but you can’t wrap yourself up in cotton wool forever
schmalex said:
But what does one do? If I were to bin it now without WHO / HMG etc saying “don’t go”, we’d lose close to £20k. That isn’t going to happen!!
Indeed - but bloody hell £20,000 is serious wedge! I'm fretting over potentially losing a tenth of that if we don't travel to Japan. schmalex said:
This thread is about concerns over Coronavirus and going on holiday.
Unless you are travelling to Wuhan, Lombardy or S Korea (all of which have very specific circumstances that caused the accelerated spread), the chances of catching Coronavirus elsewhere is pretty much the same as here.
Yes, I get the arguments about transport being cancelled but that can happen in normal day to day life. I’ve lost count of the amount of times I’ve been stranded somewhere weird In another continent over the last couple of years and had to figure out an alternative route / method.
It isn't just transport - we are meant to be touring Japan, if all or a large majority of museums, temples, bars, restaurants etc are closed it might be a rather expensive rubbish holiday ... or even worse, quarantined in an hotel for two weeks. Unless you are travelling to Wuhan, Lombardy or S Korea (all of which have very specific circumstances that caused the accelerated spread), the chances of catching Coronavirus elsewhere is pretty much the same as here.
Yes, I get the arguments about transport being cancelled but that can happen in normal day to day life. I’ve lost count of the amount of times I’ve been stranded somewhere weird In another continent over the last couple of years and had to figure out an alternative route / method.
We are paying a lot of money for a five star luxury onsen for two nights on our Japan trip (around £350 a night). The most we have EVER spent on an hotel. Anyone know if hot springs are a particularly bad idea during a coronavirus outbreak ... ? Could still cancel and book a normal hotel.
Starting to get quite nervous about our trip to Japan a week tomorrow.
Can cancel most of our hotels until next Thursday, but would lose money for flights (870), rail pass (660) and one hotel (385).
Small chance I could get my work to cover the costs given I have an important meeting the week after I would otherwise be missing...
Can cancel most of our hotels until next Thursday, but would lose money for flights (870), rail pass (660) and one hotel (385).
Small chance I could get my work to cover the costs given I have an important meeting the week after I would otherwise be missing...
Greshamst said:
A friend is over there, she says it’s a bit quieter than last time she went, a few more masks being worn, but people are still out and about, restaurants still open etc. They seem to be dealing with it in a calm manner.
Thank you. If it stays like it is, we are happy to travel, but worried about more draconian measures being taken either before we travel or worse when we are there. Already quite a few major attractions closed. The worst case scenario would be our return flight cancelled whilst out there, or being quarantined (especially as we are moving between hotels and cities). hyphen said:
Bloke on the bus holding a napkin over his mouth.
Can't blame him as it's full of school kids, but not sure a napkin will work?
Considering masks apparently don't work (particularly well at least), can't imagine a napkin does ... surely all it means is he has his hands close to his face when he probably shouldn't?Can't blame him as it's full of school kids, but not sure a napkin will work?
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